Table of Contents
- 1 What is the mechanism of lithium induced polyuria?
- 2 Why does lithium carbonate cause polydipsia and polyuria as side effects?
- 3 Does lithium cause central diabetes insipidus?
- 4 Does lithium cause diabetes?
- 5 How does lithium affect diabetes insipidus?
- 6 What is Nephrogenic?
- 7 Which drugs can cause diabetes insipidus (DI)?
- 8 What gland is responsible for diabetes insipidus?
What is the mechanism of lithium induced polyuria?
Chronic lithium ingestion can lead to resistance to ADH, resulting in polyuria and polydipsia in up to 20 to 40 percent of patients [4,9]. Lithium enters the principal cells of the collecting duct through epithelial sodium channels in the luminal membrane [9,10].
Why does lithium carbonate cause polydipsia and polyuria as side effects?
The presumption is that the thirst associated with lithium is secondary to the obligate renally mediated polyuria. The mechanism by which lithium causes polyuria is its interference with the collecting tubules to generate cyclic adenosine monophosphate in response to antidiuretic hormone stimulation.
Does lithium cause central diabetes insipidus?
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a well-documented complication of lithium use. The association of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) with lithium use is rare. We report a patient receiving chronic lithium therapy who presented with a transient CDI occurring in the setting of underlying chronic NDI.
How is lithium-induced diabetes insipidus treated?
Clinicians have been aware of lithium toxicity for many years and traditionally have administered thiazide diuretics for lithium-induced polyuria and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Recently, amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic, has been reported as a successful treatment for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Is lithium-induced diabetes insipidus reversible?
Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is usually reversible on stopping therapy but a few patients remain symptomatic long after the lithium has been discontinued [12] (a case of persistent nephro- genic diabetes insipidus has been reported 8 years after discontinuation of lithium [13]).
Does lithium cause diabetes?
The most common problem from taking lithium is a form of diabetes due to kidney damage called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. This type of diabetes is different than diabetes mellitus caused by high blood sugar.
How does lithium affect diabetes insipidus?
Chronic lithium therapy can lead to accumulation in distal tubular cells causing impaired urinary concentrating ability. This can lead to partial or full nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. It is estimated to be present in up to 40\% of patients on chronic lithium therapy [1].
What is Nephrogenic?
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a disorder of water balance. The body normally balances fluid intake with the excretion of fluid in urine. However, people with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus produce too much urine (polyuria), which causes them to be excessively thirsty (polydipsia).
How do you manage lithium-induced diabetes insipidus?
What lab values indicate diabetes insipidus?
Urinary osmolality that is less than 200 mOsm/kg is also a strong indicator of the presence of diabetes insipidus. The average plasma osmolality on a random patient test is 287 mOsm/kg of water.
Which drugs can cause diabetes insipidus (DI)?
Lithium is the most common medication that causes diabetes insipidus. This is because it affects the flow of sodium through the muscle and nerve cells in the body. It is often used to treat bipolar disorder, especially if an individual suffers from periodic episodes of mania.
What gland is responsible for diabetes insipidus?
The disease takes two main forms: Mephrogenic diabetes insipidus and central or neurogenic diabetes insipidus. Central diabetes insipidus occurs when the pituitary gland fails to secrete the hormone vasopressin, which regulates bodily fluids.